Shirley Drayer

Shirley Gladys Hamann was born October 7, 1926 at Atlantic, Iowa.  She was the daughter of Henry A. Hamann and Joyce W. (Peterson) Hamann.  Shirley graduated from Gowrie High School in 1944.

 On February 15, 1948, Shirley was united in marriage to Frank Drayer at the Gowrie Methodist Church. The couple enjoyed 68 years of marriage. 

 Shirley and Frank started their lives together, farming near Gowrie. In 1953 they moved to a farm near Churdan where they raised their family of three children: Becki, Jim and Dan.

Shirley was a member of the Churdan United Methodist Church. Through the years, Shirley and Frank loved playing cards and got together with friends for Friday night card parties. Shirley and her best friend, Beverly Flack, would telephone each other every morning around 8 a.m. to see which of them could unscramble a word puzzle first. Shirley enjoyed entering various contest and was very lucky at winning many prizes. She even won a horse one time! She liked going to the casino, playing Bingo, and loved music and dancing. She attended many activities of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. At one point, her family comprised five-generations: a notable highlight of her life. 

In 1995, Shirley and Frank moved to Jefferson. Shirley worked part time at the accessor’s office in the court house for several years. She also volunteered as a “Pink Lady” at the Greene County Medical Center.  

In 2008 Shirley and Frank moved to the Greenewood Retirement apartments.  They were generous with their time for others. While living at Greenewood, they delivered congregate meals to their neighbors. Shirley also got groceries for people at Greenewood and took a lady for her weekly hair appointments. 

For the past four years, Shirley has been a resident at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Jefferson. While residing there, she developed many friendships, received great care, and was happy.

Shirley Drayer passed away April 6, 2022 at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center at the age of 95 years. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Frank who died March 22, 2016; her siblings: Dorothy Clifton, Hazel Weaver, Ruth Sefcik, John Hamann, and Arthur Hamann; and a grandson, Kevin Cunningham who passed away in 1992. 

Shirley is survived by three children: daughter, Becki Cunningham and husband, Dave of Paton; son, Jim Drayer and wife, Cheryl of Dallas, Texas; and son, Dan Drayer of Lincoln, NE; 8 grandchildren: Julie (Kelly) McCombs,  Jeff (Penny) Drayer,  Jill (Joe) Griffith, Tracey (Robby) Robson, Derek (Jamie) Drayer, Alex Drayer,  Cale Drayer, Brody Drayer;  8  great-grandchildren: Cole (Ali) McCombs, Josie (Quinn Ealy) McCombs, Carter McCombs, Juliet Drayer, Madison Robson, Nolan Drayer,  Hannah Drayer , and Everly Drayer ; one great-great grandchild, Camilla Jo McCombs;  a sister-in-law, Doris Mundt of Stratford; other relatives and friends. 

Private interment will be held at a later date in Dawson Township Cemetery  in Paton.